Crazee Burger Review (San Diego Restaurants)

Pricing:
Much depends on what type of meat you choose for your burger.  If you go standard beef about $7-8.  If you prefer a more exotic experience it heads to the $15 range.

Distance:
This particular location is in Downtown San Diego area on 30th street.  From Encinitas it takes about 20-25 minutes to drive there.  I've heard they have another branch in Old Town.

Thoughts:
A gourmet burger experience with the atmosphere of a Denny's.  Their claim to fame being a wide variety of meat offerings.  Yes, there are some regular ol' burgers you can get here so those that prefer a plain patty will still have options.

For those bored with the plain patty experience, Crazee Burger will definitely add some spice to your life.  From alligator to kangaroo meat, there are quite a few intriguing selections that will make you want to come back for more.  There burgers are quite tasty.  I'm also a fan of some of the unusual toppings they pair the meat like whipped cream.  Whodathunk?

Overall, definitely worth a visit.  They have an excellent selection of beers on tap and it's just a fun, funky little place.

Gregorio's Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

Pricing:
$10-17 for most of the pasta dishes.  They do serve steak and seafood which runs between $25-30.

Distance:
Right off of Carlsbad Village Drive in, what I consider, the thick of "Downtown Carlsbad."  About a 15-20 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:
I love Gregorio's Fettuccine Alfredo.  It's a dish I don't normally go for when dining at Italian restaurants because the flavor dosen't compensate for the arteries I'm clogging.  At Gregorio's I make an exception.  It's totally worth it.  Their other food is also quite tasty.  I've yet to order a dish here I didn't thoroughly enjoy.  It's just that when I do order other things it's... not Fettuccine Alfredo.

Laid back, comfortable and delicious, Gregorio's is definitely worth making a trip to Carlsbad.  It's located in a fun area with lots of shopping.  So it you get there early enough there are things to do before and after eating (to walk off the tub of pasta you just consumed).  A perfect date spot or fun family outing.

Firehouse Subs Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:
$6-9 for a sub.  About $10-12 for combos.  Not bad at all considering the size and quality of food that you're getting.

Distance:
Right by the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection.  5-10 minutes away for most Encinitas folks.

Thoughts:
This is not a low-calorie health food event.  But as far as subs oozing with tasty flavor go, Firehouse is not a bad option.  Despite my initial prediction, this is not just another Quiznos.  Firehouse definitely has its own distinct flavor.  The sales pitching being that all the meats and cheeses are smoked and then toasted.  Whatever.  It works.

The sandwich options here are of the hot/melted genre.  So don't expect anything light with cold, crisp lettuce.  All the subs are served with a signature pickle and if you dine-in you get to have some with their hot sauce corner.  They have over a dozen sauces to choose from that range mild to we-keep-it-behind-the-counter hot.  Yet another little thing that makes it feel unique from other sub places.

So if you're hungry and in the mood for a substantial lunch sandwich, it's worth checking out.  I've tried almost all of their subs by this point and I've yet to be disappointed.  However, if you're on a calorie counting health kick, you might want to look elsewhere.  This is not the type of establishment where you'll find lots of wraps/gluten free/salad options.

Ignite Bistro & Wine Spot (Carlsbad Restaurants)

Pricing:

$12-18.  Most of the options being around $15.  A few of the steak options run up to $22.  Fairly typical sit-down dining prices.

Distance:

At the intersection of El Camino Real and Alga.  About a 10-15 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I'm not 100% certain what to think about Ignite.  It's just too.... much.  Too much blatant trendiness, too much of an attempt to be a wine bar, too many types of food... It's so much I'm not sure what unique thing I'm supposed to take away from the experience.

They offer a smattering of everything from fish tacos to pizza to calamari.    The food is good but other places are better.  Plus there really isn't a signature dish.  They don't specialize in a particular type of food nor to they offer a dessert that will induce stage three diabetes. 

They have wine but, surprisingly, this aspect of the restaurant (despite being called a wine spot) is not really emphasized.  Yes, there is an area where you can pick wine.  But it almost looks like it's wine on display rather than for shopping and drinking.  You walk right by it more often than not and the servers rarely drop lines like, "would you care to head over and choose a wine to drink?" (I've been to this restaurant multiple times).

The location is large, sporting tons of indoor seating along with an outside patio and bar.  If you wanted to hang out with friends and get a few drinks, this is probably the best feature about Ignite.  But again, this is not something you couldn't find just about anywhere else.  Right across the street are at least four equally good if not better dining experiences that also offer areas for the casual drinking experience.

So would I pitch a fit if I got invited here?  Nah.  It's not a bad experience.  But would I go out of my way to eat here?  Ehhh.....

Notorious Burgers Review (Carlsbad Restaurants)

Pricing:

$9-15 for a burger or sandwich.  The pre-made selections are $10/11.  It adds up if you do a custom built burger with a ton of extra toppings.

Distance:

In the shopping mall at the intersection of El Camino Real and Aviara Pkwy (the Vons and movie theater mall).  So an easy 10-15 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

This place is pretty simple.  Burgers and beer.  And holy meat patty, batman, is it good.  

There's wine too, of course, but it pales in comparison to what is possibly one of the best selections of local craft beers.  I would say that in the immediate area Encinitas Ale House is the only other place that offers more selection.  Notorious had at least fifteen beers on tap.  All craft beers and all tastefully chosen (like it's not just a bunch Red Trolley and Stone IPA).

The burgers are absolutely phenomenal.  All ingredients taste fresh and the meat is real.   Extra brownie points for having interesting appetizers.  Like crab and cheese fries instead of the usual nacho stack you see everywhere else.  There is no possible way to exit this restaurant still hungry.

After leaving here, I couldn't help but think, "Stand aside Counter Burger, here's your replacement."  The establishment is clean and the staff is friendly and helpful with beer selections (shock!).  Notorious Burger has definitely earned a place on my list of regular restaurants.

Solace & the Moonlight Longue Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

On the slightly expensive side.  You can get exotic cheese plate appetizers that can cost up to $18 and most of the entrees are $18-28.  Couple this with a few drinks and there's no way you're getting out of this place for less than $50.

Distance:

On the Highway 101.  At the E Street and 101 intersection.  About 10-15 minutes away for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

Yet another "trendy" place that I went into with trepidation.  It's on the 101... it's a converted train station... it's right by a set of condos they're trying to sell for 500k... all signs pointed to expensive food that left you wanting for more after everything was said and done.

But I ended up being surprised by Solace.  We were seated in the restaurant after only waiting for a few minutes.  Yes, the cheese plate was expensive but really good.  All of the fruit and condiment sides were very thoughtfully put together so the tastes complemented one another.  And the burgers... this place serves the best burger I think I've ever had in my life.  So, SO good.

Their beer and wine selection was impressive.  They had a nice range of brews that you don't normally see on tap along with a few seasonal 22oz bottles you could buy.  All the wines they had were above average in quality.  Like you're actually buying a nice glass of wine when you're paying $10 and not just a cheap wine with a huge markup.

All in all, definitely worth checking out.  Yes, it was expensive.  But the kind of place you leave feeling like your money was well-spent for a nice evening out.

   

The Craftsman New American Tavern Review (Encinitas Restaurants)

Pricing:

Slightly expensive.  You're paying for the trendy atmosphere.  The starters and sides are about $8.  The main dishes range $15-25.

Distance:

On El Camino Real.  Close to the El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd. intersection.  About a 10 minute drive for most Encinitas residents.

Thoughts:

I've been to The Craftsman a few times now and each time my opinion of the place has improved.  The first time I went my initial reaction was, "Great, another overpriced 'trendy' restaurant."  They serve you water in jam jars and I ordered the cheapest item on the menu (the burger) which was good but not great.

The subsequent times I dined at this restaurant I ended up splurging a bit more.  I tried their more expensive, less standard dishes, and another time I ordered off of the specials menu.  Spending the big bucks ended up being well worth it because each time the food was fantastic.  The steak that I ordered off the specials menu was possibly the most perfectly prepared piece of meat I've ever consumed.

Another plus for this restaurant is their tasteful wine and beer selection.  All their wines are above average for the standard restaurant and I appreciate the fact that they serve a number local brews other than just Stone IPA.

They don't take reservations for parties smaller than six but I've never had to wait more than twenty minutes for a table.  The out-of-the-way location makes it crowded but not ridiculously so.  So if you're in the mood to be spendy and want a nice night out, The Craftsman is not at all a bad way to go.